Source: AFP
Apple said Tuesday it will appeal a U.S. import ban on its latest smartwatch models after the Biden administration chose not to veto a ruling over patent violations.
The ban on Apple’s latest smartwatch models went into effect on Tuesday, with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 no longer available in stores or online.
The ban is the latest legal spat involving major tech companies over valuable patents as Google battles Sonos in court in a battle over speaker technology.
The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) decided in October to ban Apple Watch models due to a patented technology for detecting blood oxygen levels.
The order stemmed from a complaint filed with the Commission in mid-2021 by Masimo Corp, in which the medical device maker accused Apple of infringing its “light-based oximetry functionality.”
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“After careful deliberation, Ambassador (Kathryn) Tye decided not to reverse the … determination and the ITC’s decision became final on December 26, 2023,” the US Trade Representative’s office said in a statement on Tuesday.
Although the office of the US president has the power to lift import bans, such actions are taken only rarely.
In a statement, Masimo said the upheld ban “is a victory for the integrity of the US patent system and ultimately American consumers who will benefit from an ecosystem that rewards true innovation.”
Apple argues that the ITC’s finding was wrong and should be overturned, filing an appeal in US federal court.
However, the company pulled the products from Apple’s online store on Dec. 21, with retail locations ceasing sales on Dec. 24 — just before the holidays.
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Masimo claims it invented the technology – and that Apple poached its employees to gain access to the knowledge.
‘Strongly disagree’
Apple has been steadily enhancing its fitness and health capabilities with each generation of its Apple Watch, which dominates the smartwatch category.
In September, Apple released the Apple Watch Series 9, touting increased performance along with features such as the ability to access and record health data.
“We strongly disagree with the USITC ruling and the resulting blocking order, and we are taking every step to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the US as soon as possible,” Apple said in a statement on Tuesday.
At the time of the original ruling, Apple said Masimo had “wrongly attempted to use the ITC to keep a potentially life-saving product from millions of US consumers while paving the way for their own copycat Apple Watch.”
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In May, a trial over Masimo’s claims ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
Apple has argued that Masimo is using lawsuits to make room for its own Apple Watch-inspired products.
In November, Masimo was approved by US regulators to use its own wrist-worn product for prescription and over-the-counter use.
Late last year, Apple filed two patent infringement lawsuits accusing Masimo of copying Apple Watch technology.
Source: AFP